Physical health

Question 1

Who defines physical health

Answer 1

WHO (1948)- defines health as ‘’ a state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’’

Question 2

explain the bidirectional link between physical and mental health

Answer 2

• Longidunal study of ageing (Ohrnberger et al., 2017)- ELSA DATA
• Found- Past mental and physical health have strong direct and indirect effects on current mental and physical health
• Direct= this link was how physically and mentally healthy we are between 2 periods of times
• Indirect= various behaviours, environmental circumstances, biological factors were indirectly linked. The most important indirect past goes through social interactions, physical activity, and smoking.

Question 3

health risk factors

Answer 3

• Global burden of disea ses injuries, and risk factors study 2019 (Murray et al., 2020)
• Tobacco still the most important risk factor
• High blood pressure went down in risk number in 2019 from 2009
• High fasting plasma glucose (indication for diabetes) went up in importance

Question 4

what is personological epidemiology

Answer 4

the study of the links between personality traits and health and disease
* Murray and Booth, 2015- found personality traits, especially conscientiousness and neuroticism, have small but important effects on health and longevity (how long we live).
* association with health and longevity is so well replicated that it is reasonable to shift focus from asking whether these traits predict health to asking how and why they predict health. Also, what are the mechanisms?

Question 5

what is link 1

Answer 5

PERSONALITY - BEHAVIOURS - ILLNESS

a causal chain: having certain personality traits causes individuals to engage in health behaviours that influence their health/ increase the risk of illness.
o Risky behaviours e.g. smoking
o Protective behaviours e.g. good nutrition
o Health outcomes are mediated by behaviour

the other links =smoking, physical activity, health care use

Question 6

LINK 2

Answer 6

PERSONALITY - BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES - ILLNESS

casual chain:
o Personality may directly influence biological activities that influence the development of a physical disease
o Health outcomes mediated by biological activities

links to coronary heart disease

Question 7

LINK 3-

Answer 7

BIOLOGICAL CUASES - PERSONALITY/ILNESS

• Correlational link- the same biological process might underpin personality traits and illness outcomes
• Example- a specific kind of coronary heart disease was found to be linked to a gene, which also causes a predisposition towards being a hostile person

Question 8

LINK 4

Answer 8

ILNESS- PERSONALITY

• Causal link- Illness produces changes in personality
• Personality traits are shaped by exercise participation (Stephan et al., 2014)- physically active adults declined less on conscientiousness, extraversion, openness, and agreeableness than did less physically active adults
• Chronic diseases – consistent decreases in extraversion, emotional stability, conscientiousness, and openness to experience after onset of chronic disease

Question 9

who developed all these links?

Answer 9

• Smith and Williams 1992-